Aeroplane.



v. AJELLO.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2h I913.

' Patented June19, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

V. AJELLO.

AEROPLANE. APPLICATION mu) APR, 2|. I913.

' Patent-0d June 19, 1917.

SHEETS-SNEET 3.

J INVENTOR;

L/ tg WITNESSES; (Liar a v. AIELLO AEROFLANE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2|, I913.

Patented J 11116 19, 1917.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

I ww -l---/ I N. MW mmw :Ill Q m K km M fi G D Q\ U U \m q o .fim Mm muN wm aim ' To all whom it may concern vmcrmr a ELno, orrrr'rsnunen, riivnsirnvam'a.

. ammonium;

Beitknown that I, VINCENT AJriIJLo, a

' citizen of the United States, and resident of Pittsburgh, intlie'county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a newand useful Improvement in Aeroplanes; and

I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exactdescription thereof.

"My invention relates to aeroplanes or heavier than air flying machines,and it has for. its object to provide a machine of this character inwhich the sustaining lanes or wings are best adapted not only or rapidflight and for easy manipulation and turningofthe machine, but alsosaidwings or' planes are so constructed that should the motive power ofthe aeroplane bgeak down,

or be otherwise thrown out ofjatommission, the mac'hi e will notbecomeunmanageable,

nor will it descendtoo rapidly for safety.

In other word's, the wings or. planes are-so constructed, shaped anddisposed that'they' as a whole will act in a manner similar to aparachute, thus permltting the mach ne to descend when not under motivepower,.

g radnally under perfect equilibrium. his parachute action is alsosecured by the manner in which the weight ofithevbody of the machine isdisposed with respect to the planes, as hereinafter described.

A further ob'ect is to position the motive means or propellers at, themost" effective pointswith respect to the wings orplanes, so that saidpropellers notonly carry the machine forward, but will also aid in thesustaining action'of the machine b reason of the manner of impact of theair isplaeed by the ropellers with respect to the planes. 'A: flirt erobject is to provide. the machifi with what may be termed an emergencypropeller, the purpose. of which is to carry the machine forward whenthe main driving propeller is disabled. A further object. is

to so constructthis emergency propeller that its wings ma y be foldedfore and aft when it is not incommission and thus it willn'ot oppose theforward movement of 'the ma chine under impulse of the mainp'ropeller Afurther object is toprovidethemachine with a passenger carrying body"adapted-to. accommodate not-only the operator, but several passengers inwhich body also the dIlV- ing motor, steerin "mechanism and otheroperatingparts o the aeroplane may be mounted forconvenient operation. Afurther object is to provide inconjunction with speclflcation o fLetters Patent.

taining plane.

frame and the outer extremities of the wing the main carrying bodylaterally disposed floats arranged respectively somewhat after themanner of the hulls. of a catamaran .whereby should 'themachine lightupon wa- Patented June 19, 1917. Applicatinnflled Aprl121,'1913. Serialno. 162,59

te'r it will be sustained in perfect equ librium and W111 not rock ,laterally owing to the lateral extentof the wings or. planes. A;

further object is. to rovide a machine with conveniently opera lesteering apparatus downward orto either side.-# The machine may also. beprovided with a suitable wheeled carrierlthus enabling it to run alongthe ground in starting or lighting and" tor convenient shifting fromplace to place.

With these and other ob ects in .view

which will. appear from the detail descrip c5 whereby lts course maybeeflected upward,

tion, the invention egnsists in a construction. and arran ement ofparts, a preierred is a side elevation of an aeroplane embodyembodiment0 which isillustrated in the. accompanying drawings in which Figure 1ing theinvention. Fig; 2 is a plan "view thereof; Fig. 3iis, atransverse sectional View on the line 33 "Fi 1 looking to the rear;

Fig. 4 is a longitu' ina'l sectionalview of a c arrier body or hull{showing the rudder operative-mechanism therefor in elevation. I

Fig. 5 is a horizontal-sectional view ofth'e hullor body portion;andlfig. 6 is a seetional view on the line 6-6 Fig. of the def tails ofthe steering apparatus.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 whichshow the construction and arrangementof the sustaining planes "or wings. The'sustainin members comprise acentral longitudi 1 n a ly disposedt'russ frame or backbone con- T'slstingofa lower ormain chord 1 and an- I upper chord 2 which areconnected togetherstanchionstl, 3; .To' this lower-chord 1' of thecentral truss'frame' are secured the wings of'pl'anes A and B each onecomprising a perlpheralframe member 4 which determines --the size andsha e ofeach sus- Between tie central truss frames are fore and aftstrengthening membets 5 and 6 and the'plane. frames are braced laterallyby a pluralitypf strut members 7, three being shown for each 'wing Fig.2 of the drawing. These strut members 7 are secured firmly to thecentral truss frame and to the longitudinal truss members '5 and GasWell as to the peripheral frame-40f the wings in any suitable. manner,wing or plane frames and consequently the wings or sustaining planesthemselves are curved fore and aft, as

clearly shown in Fig, land alsolaterally from the central. truss frameas'shown in Fig. 3, so that the central areas of each of the wings orplanes are upwardly curved thus providing substantially, pockets ontheir undcrsides which serve to transmit the sustaining action of thesewings to' their central areas in much the same manner as the sustainingaction of a parachute is concentrated largely at the center of itssustaining member. This parachute action therefore of the wings orsustaining planes of this machine serves to maintain the en-v tiremachine in perfect equilibrium when the motive power is shut off or isotherwise thrown out of comn'iission. so that the machine as a wholecannot tip in any direction wardmorement usually found in aeroplanes asordinarily constructed. The outer edges of the planes are connected withthe upper chord or truss member 2 of the central truss frame by means ofnumerous stay wires 8 which not only extend laterally from the "centraltruss frame, but also diagonally to the front or rear, so that the wingsor planes are securely held against movement withrespect to the centraltruss frame.

The wing frames may be covered with any suitable fabric such as oiledsilk or likelight but strong material, and if de sired, said wingsorplane frames may be double oreach consists of two superposed framesjoined at their outer edges but "spaced apart as they approach thecentral truss 'frame, thus'forming planes or wings of substantiallytruss form buthaving thin 'or'reduced edges so as to present a cuttingedge to the-air. y y Y Beneath the central truss frame is sus pended apassenger carrying body or main hull 9 as it may be called, which may beof hollow and buoyant construction and adapted to act as a float whenthe machine alights upon a body of water, This hull may if desired beprovided with a cabin portion 10 giving ample headway to the occupants.This bull orbody portion is suspended from the main truss frame by meansof rigid-stanchions .11 and 12 and may be suitably stayed laterally byadditional stanchions or strut members as desired. The outer speet tothebody or hull and the proper curvature of the wings is maintained. forthe purposes hereinafter described.

In order'to drive the vessel. or machine forward a suitable propeller 19is provided which is secured to a shaft 20 journaled at its forward endin a bracket :21 which is rigidly secured to the central truss future bymeans of stay pieces22 and 23 the latter extending forward from abracket 2% depending from the truss frame within which bracket also is asecond bearing orjournal 25 for the shaft 20. The rear end of the shaft20 is journaled in a curved bracket 20 de pending from the truss frameand the shaft 20 is provided at its rear end with a beveled gear 2'?adapted to mesh with a second beveled gear 28 on the upper end of avertical shaft 29 which in turn is journaled in i the bracket 26 and. ina suitable bearing 30 Fig. at within the hullor carrying body 9.

The lower-end. of the shaft 29 may be' provided with a beveled gear 31meshing with a gear 32 on the forward end of a shaft 33 journaled inbearing brackets 35 and 36 secured within the hull and the rearend ofthe shaft 33 is connected bysproclret. chains 37. with any suitable formof motor 38 located withinthe hull orbody 9.

Although I have herein indicated an arrangement of driving mechanism forthe machine, it is to be understood that my invention is not limited tothis form but may be varied'to any desired extent within the scope ofthe invention.

It will be noticed that the main propeller 19 is mounted on the centralaxis of the supporting planes and that in the normal hori zontalposition of the machinethe shaft of the propeller. is tilted slightlyupwardly so that the propeller not only has a forward driving actiongbutalso a-lifting action. It

Will also be seen by an inspection of'Fig. "1

of the drawings that in thisnormal horizontal position of the machine asa whole the sustaining wings .or planes are depressed somewhat at therear so that the natural tendency of the air pressures upon the machinewhenmored forward under its metive power will be tocause the machine torise, and the pressure of the-air as it passes from front to rear'endthe under surface of the planes will exert an upward pressure on therear ends of the wings so that the resultant of all the-air pressures onthe under side of the planes when properly counterbalanced jbytheremaining parts of the machine will be to maintain the machine insuitable substantially horizontal equilibrium by which I I the car orcarrying body may at all-times be in horizontal position even when themachine is ascending. Also it willf be observed that the portions bf thewings or planes ad-' jacent the central truss frame or backbone of themachine are depressed slightly, so

that the lateral air pressures exerted against the Wings will serve tomaintain the lateral equilibrium of the machine. It is to be borne inmind also that thewings are of such shape as'before indicated that thesustain 'ing surface on. the under side is convex both 1 'foreand aftand laterally so that the planes 'may act as a parachute when the motoris stopped thus imparting a more effective floatingfunction to' themachine and permitting it to alight gradually and lightly.

From an inspectlon of Fig. 2 showing. a'

a plan view of the machine-it will be seen that the wings are ofconsiderably greater length fore and aft at their outer edges than attheirinneredges where they join the central truss frame. By thisconstruction very ,much greater lateral equilibrium is secured as theweight of the machine is largely concentrated along thecentral trussframe and the center of gravity of the machine is immediately below saidframe. It is to be understood that the' position of the weight of thecarrying car, motors, and operating parts 80 is such that they areexactly balanced beneaththe planes'when the motor is not in operationand the' machine is floating in the .7 air. Moreoverthe decreased areaof the a "rear ends ofthe wings as compared with the forward en s iscompensated for by the greater convexity or downward curvature of thewings at the rear. At the same time the lesser. area of the wingsat therear dimin- 1 ishes the drag or retarding effect of the rear endsof thewings upon the forward motion of the machine. 2

In orde to guidethe machine laterally v vertical steering rudder39 isprovided which is mountedon a forwardly inclined rudder post40so thatwhen the rudder is thrown .'to one side or the other, it will not onlyde y fleet the course of the machine laterally, but.

' will also impart to it a slight'inclination in the direction in whichit is turning and; thus enablethe wings or planes more effectually tooppose their surfaces -to the air and aid in the quick turning of theapparatus. The

, rudder 39 may beco'peratedfin any suitable and convenientmanner, butas here shown its postfiO is provided with a beveled gear 41 within-thecarrying body whi'chfis engagedby a bevel crowngear 42 having pe-Eripheral teeth 43l throughout considerable ,segment thereof adaptedtobe engaged by a. pinion 44 on a tiller post-which has also a tillerulley 45around which several turns 'ller tops are wrapped. Forconvenient disposition of the tiller rope within'th'e carrying.body thesame is passed around guide pulleys-ch58 and is carried forward aroundsimilar guide pulleys 4 9, fiOat-the forward end of the car body andthence is given several turns around a drum .51' on a steering shaftv52, the latter being ,rov'ided with a.

suitable steering gear or w eel 53 for convenient manipulation bytheoperator.

In addition to the lateral steering means justdescribcd the machine isprovided with a deflecting plane 54 which consists of a peripheral.frame 55 of substantially the shape shown in Fi'g.; 2,,;said" framemembers being pivoted upon a transverse shaft 56 secured to the rear endof the car body 9. The

deflecting plane may be operated in any suitable manner but as hereshown'is preferabl provided with a vertical cross head 57 which may besecured to sleeve 58' mounted upon the pivot shaft 56, said sleeve beingsecured to the inner ends of the frame member 55 of the deflecting planeFrom the upper and lower ends of the steering cross head 57 a tillerrope or cord 59 is carried to a steer ing drum (30 rigidly mounted upona shaft (3]. upon which shaft also is a second pulle 62 connected by'anoperating cord 63 wit a smaller or-differentialpulley 64. The latter isconnected by tiller rope 65 with a tiller wheeltifi at the forward partof the. carrying car and adjacent the steering head the. shaft of thetiller wheel 66 having rigidly,

eral guiding rudder and of the deflect- 1 ing: plane are brought withinconvenient reach oi'a single operator. From cross head 52 stay cordsGSand 9 extend to the outer extremities of the deflecting plane 5%.

In cases of eimn'gency caused by any breaking down of the forwanl ormain propeller 19 itmay be desirable to have" means for impartingheadway to the machine sufficient to carry it to a convenient alighting'place, or a fair green free of obstructions such astrees hbuscs; etc.

To these ends I provide an emergency propeller 70 at the rear of themachine mounted upon a shaft. 71 journaled in a suitable frame '72carried by the. rear end of the main truss frame of the machine. Thewings of 'this propeller may be provided with any suitable connectionswith its shaft whereby said wings may be folded or extended parallellongitudinally to the rear when the propeller is'not in use and meansmay be provided by which these .wings may be extended. to operativeposition' as shown in Fig. 1. Any suitable mechanism for this, purposemay be .pro-

vided. This emergency propeller is operated'through a gear 73cm theshaft 71 meshmg with a corresponding gear 74 on a vertical shaft75-journaledv 1n the central. truss frame'which shaft is'geared as at76,

77 to a shaft78 carried-in journal brackets '79 of'the truss frame. Atthe forward end" a mounted thereon an operating'lever 67'" so that thecontrolling means both of the latthe main propeller 19 is thrown-out-ofcom-' mission for any reason, the emergency propeller may be broughtinto commission and the machine brought to a suitable landing place. a

To enable the machine to move along the groundeither in starting oralighting I provide the usual trucks 85, 86 at front and rearof the mainbody of the machine each having the running wheels 8'7 and 88. Thesewheels are not mounted rigidly upon the trucks, but are carried inframes 89 and 90 pivoted at 91 and 92-, respectively, on the truckframes and havihg bearing springs 93, 9a which serve to ease the jar ofimpact of the machine upon the ground.

It is desirable also to provide efiicien-t means for maintainingsuitable equilibrium of the machine when it alights upon a body ofwater. To this end I provide upon the oppositesidespf the main body theauxiliary floats 95\and 96, Figs. 2 and 3 consisting of suitable framesover which any durable and water proof material may. be stretched. Thesefloats are secured by stay members 97 and 98 to themain carrying body-9being held rigidly with respect tl e-' to by means of wires or rods 99an 100; These auxiliary floats thereforeopera e sub stantially in themanner of the companion hulls of a catamaran and serve to counterbalance the lateral extension of the supporting wings or planes so thatthe machine may :float in stable equilibrium upon any body' of water.

' While-I have herein described a particu lar embodiment of my'inventionand a par What I claim is:

1..'In an aeroplane, the combination with a central fore and aft main ortruss frame having a carrying body suspended therefrom, sustainingplanes extending to either side of said main. frame, a driving propellerat the forward end of the axis of said plane and an auxiliary propellerabove the rear end of said frame, a motor withln said carrying body andan operative connecting meml.

ber adapted to connect said motor with one or the other of saidpropellers respectively.

2. In aeroplanes, the combination with ,a rigid central fore and aftmain or truss framehaving a passengercarryingbody suspended fromthe foreand aft median line thereof, rigid sustainingflplanes rigidly conn'ected with said truss frame and extending to either side thereof, adriving propeller at the forward end of the axis of said frame, and anauxiliary propeller carried by and extending above the rear end ofsaid'frame, a motor within said carrying body and an operating memberarranged to oonnect said motor either with said forward propeller orsaid rear propeller at will and l0ngitudinal floats located at eitherside of and spaced chine may also be sustained in stable equi:

librium upon a body of water.

3. In an aeroplane, the combination with a main frame having a carryingbody suspended therefrom, said body having lateral floats securedthereto, and extending parallel therewith upon eitherside, a pair ofsus--.

taining planes extending laterally from said convex in form and inclinedupwardly' and ends, a driving propeller mounted upon the forward end ofthe axis of said planes, an auxiliary propeller mounted at the rear endof' said frame and aboveand to .the rear of said plane, horizontal andvertical deflecting planes mounted at the rear end of 'saidcarryingbody, a driving motor and steer ing apparatus connected withsaid propellers "and said deflecting planes, respectively, lo-

cated within saidv carrying body.

In testimony whereof, I the said VINCENT AJELLo have hereunto set myhand.

jRonnnT C. TOTI'EN,

' JOHN F. WILL.

main frame, said plane's each being concavo-

